Info for Columbia surgerons please

Hello. My name is Shawna and I live in Purdy, Mo. (southwest part of state.) I was wondering if there was anyone on here that is going to Columbia for surgery? I have my first appt. with them April 22. I am so nervous. I do not know what to expect at this appt. I loved the seminar they gave in Springfield. They have all my paperwork so what is there to do now? Could anyone PLEASE help me and give me some information. Thank you and God Bless

Shawna i cant tell you what all they have you to do since i had Dr. Hornbostel do my surgery and his pre-requisites were very straight forward and easy to follow. A lot of doctors have you to go to several of their classes and lots of different test for lots of different things.  Just wanted to welcome you to the board and Hope someone that has used this group will tell you something about them.  

Hi Shawna,  Nice to meet you. I went to Columbia and had my surgery with Dr. Fearing there. I have had other friends who have had the rest of the docs there.  Dr. Fearing is the best Dr I have ever met. She has the best bedside manner of all of them I would have to say and she is very caring, of all her pts. Who are you set up to see?  I live in Diamond-which isnt too far from Purdy. I had to go to Columbia several times for different testing and classes-but things have also changed since 2006, but I had to have an EGD there with Dr. Fearing, and then I had to meet the nutritionist there due to my BMI being very high and then the required class before surgery. I also had 2 other appts for weight check and so on.....My PCP ordered the rest of my testing here at Freeman Hospital in Joplin and I brought in test results and paperwork to my appts with me. I would have to say the worst part of the whole experience was dealing with the ladies that answered the phone there. They would never return calls, they were rude and no matter what-they always lost my paperwork.  I wish you lots of luck-and IF I can help you in any way, please let me know. Its a long road ahead of you-but I am telling you-if you need anything-just post and let us know, someone will be able to help you.....Good luck, Janet

Hi Shawna Welcome to the MO Board I have just finished all my test. I had to have a physc eval, stress test, pulmonary function test, venous doppler and a  sleep study. It seems like alot of test but I am glad I had to have them,  they want to make sure you are healthy enough to have this surgery.  You may have different test . I don't know if they have everyone do all these test.  My pcp scheduled the test and I just took the results to columbia with me, that way you know they have the results.  I have an appt for April 18th to make sure I have quit smoking..if you smoke you have to be smoke free for 6 weeks, then it is the class they have you take and then surgery schedule time for me....yahoo..... You will meet with a nurse who will weigh you and ask about your medical history, then you will meet with Dr Suttemoeller, a very nice doctor, he will tell you what test you need to have done and then you go from there.. You can have your pcp schedule your test or they will do it for you, I didn't want to have to keep traveling to columbia so I had most of mine done locally.  They will also ask you which dr you prefer. I had orginally ask for Dr Fearing but because she is booked quite far out, they suggested Dr De La Torre, he is the director of Mo Bariatrics and all he does now is the rny, has done 3 or 4 thousand of them. So I feel pretty safe with him.  Hope this gives you a little insight about your up coming appt. nothing to be nervous about...good luck on your journey and keep us informed...

Shawna - The Missouri Bariatrics office is getting better.  They have a new office manager and it seems to be working.  You will love Dr. Kevin Suttmoeller (and the nurse Natalie is his wife) and he was my pcp before moving to Columbia.   Yes I will drive the 90 miles to see him!  If you can't get an answer or no one calls you back use their email and natalie answers them. Shannon